If you found yourself pulled over on the side of the road after having a few too many drinks during the holidays, you'll want to get a DUI lawyer in Brampton as soon as you can. It's normal to kick back and enjoy a couple of beverages during the holiday season, and unfortunately, it can end up in seeing the red and blue cherry light up behind you on the road.
During the holiday seasons throughout the year, the amount of accidents increases. Drunk driving can result in injuries to other people and DUI charges. If you're planning on enjoying some drinks during the holiday season, there are a couple of things you'll want to keep in mind.
Driving Advice For The Holidays
It's hard to control everyone that drives on the road. If you're the type of person that won't step foot in a vehicle even if you've only had one drink, there are other people on the road that won't adhere to that same lifestyle. If you have to drive during the holidays, you'll want to be extra cautious. Some tips that you'll want to keep in mind are:
- Ensure that your vehicle is fully maintained. That means your tires should be in working order, all of the lights on your car should be functional, and your windshield wipers should be in the best condition.
- Keep a close watch on your speed. No one wants to be rushing during the holidays, and because of the weather, you'll want to leave for an occasion a little earlier than you usually would.
- Get a good night's sleep. Many people drive long distances during the holidays on not much sleep. If you need to take a break during your journey, pull over to a safe area and do exactly that.
- Plan your journey. Always make sure that you know exactly where you're going. No one wants to be taking some road that they aren't familiar with, especially in brutal weather conditions.
- Bring an emergency bag or kit. A first-aid kit will keep you prepared if you end up getting in an accident along your journey. A good emergency kit will have a blanket, a flashlight, and other things that will keep you safe if your car breaks down. Make sure you have an ice scraper in your trunk and an extra charger for your cell phone.
- Be aware of the weather forecast. Before you trek out, make sure you know what the forecast is. The weather can end up changing all of the time during the winter, and being aware of the forecast will have you taking the necessary precautions before leaving. If you see a blizzard on the horizon, consider leaving a day or two later than your regular departure.
- Don't drink before leaving. This tip should usually go without saying, but you don't want to pound back 3 beers before heading out on the road.
Detecting Intoxicated People On The Road
Even if you keep all of the above tips in mind before you head out on your journey, you'll also want to know how to spot a driver that might be intoxicated. If you happen to come across someone that you think might be drunk, you'll want to steer clear of them at all costs. Some tips to help you tell if someone is drunk are:
- They are making quick movements or wider turns
- Their response time appears to be much slower than it should be
- They are driving extremely slow and cumbersome
- They are stopping and starting for no apparent reason
- They are navigating the vehicle on the opposite side of the highway
- They are zig-zagging along the middle line of the road
- They are nearly hitting obstacles as they're driving
Drunk Driving
In 2015, there were almost 575 drivers that were charged with impaired driving throughout Ontario alone. If you've had a few drinks and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, then you'll be charged with a DUI. If your BAC is 0.05 to 0.08, then you'll be in between the warning range, and this also comes with a number of consequences.
Blood Alcohol Content Higher Than 0
For a BAC that's higher than 0, your license will be taken away for a day, and you could potentially lose it for a full month. The fines associated with this are up to $500.
Blood Alcohol Content Between 0.05 to 0.08
If it's the first time that you're driving impaired between these levels of blood alcohol content, you'll be paying a fine of almost $200 and you'll have your license suspended for up to 3 days.
Blood Alcohol Content High Than 0.08
If you're caught operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content that's higher than 0.08, you'll:
- Lose your license for 3 months
- Pay a fine
- Your vehicle will be impounded for up to a week
After your DUI conviction, you can expect your driver's license to be suspended for up to a year. You'll also have to pay a fine of around $1,000, and you'll have to go to attend an alcohol treatment program. Once you're able to start driving again, you'll have to get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle and you'll have to pay the installation fees associated with it.
If you get charged with a DUI, you'll want to consult with a DUI lawyer in Brampton as soon as you can. A reputable lawyer will be able to guide and navigate you through everything involved and what you should do next.
If you’re looking for a DUI lawyer in Brampton, consider reaching out to Jonathan Lapid. By going with Jonathan Lapid, you’ll have much higher chances of avoiding a full criminal record and staying out of jail. You might potentially be able to hang onto your driver’s license and you could also get away with those pesky insurance rate premiums.
Jonathan Lapid has one of the highest success rates in the region. You’ll get a free initial consultation and throughout your entire DUI case, you won’t be surprised with any extra or hidden fees. Jonathan Lapid has left hundreds of clients going through a DUI satisfied. With over 25 years of experience, you can rest assured in hiring Jonathan Lapid as your DUI lawyer.
